White undercolor with irregular red-brown spots on the body and fins. Similar to Cirrhitichthys aprinus, but lacking the occelated spot on the gill cover. It lives solitary.

Unevaluated by the IUCN Red list.

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to East London, South Africa and east to the Marquesan Islands, north to the Mariana Islands, south to New Caledonia. Eastern Pacific: Gulf of California to Colombia and the Galapagos Islands. Inhabit areas of rich coral growth and clear water of lagoon, channel, or seaward reefs from below the surge zone to depths of at least 40 m. They rest on, in, or beneath hard or soft corals. They live in a depth range of 1-40 meters, but are usually found in 10-25 meters.

They are a haremic species.